Wilsons Middle East

IRAQ

Iraq, in an area once home to some of the earliest civilizations, became a battleground for competing forces after the US-led ousting of President Saddam Hussein in 2003.The Shia-led governments that have held power since then have struggled to maintain order, and the country has enjoyed only brief periods of respite from high levels of sectarian violence.Violence and sabotage hinder the revival of an economy shattered by decades of conflict and sanctions. Iraq has the world's third largest reserves of crude oil.

High Crime rate to be aware of that occur in Iraq are the following:Religious TerrorismState TerrorismKidnappingAnti-American sentimentRiots/Civil UnrestReligious ViolenceEmployee Health Safety

The in-country fighting between the government of Iraq and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has negatively affected the economy of Iraq. A large portion of western and northern Iraq are under Islamic State control. The lack of secure transportation, terrorist attacks on public places, a decrease in international oil prices, and constant fighting in northern and western Iraq has severely impacted Iraq’s economy.

Crime statistics and crime reporting mechanisms are incomplete and inconsistent. The vast majority of individuals under contract with, or employed by, the U.S. government in Iraq are required to travel with a Protective Security Detail (PSD), thereby limiting potential criminal threats against them.​osac.com​